Forever known as “The Quiet Beatle” George Harrison’s contributions to rock music over the years are stunning in their thoughtfulness. Less gregarious than Ringo Starr, less prolific than Paul McCartney, less iconic than John Lennon, Harrison is oft-forgotten from a commercial perspective. But I’ve always found his solo work post-Beatles to be the best of the Fab Four for the simple fact that it always seemed to be the most honest with itself. There’s a real self-reflection that is omnipresent in all of Harrison’s work, a sense of wonder mixed with a sense of reality that is woven together with intricate detail to produce something that feels distinctly human. The album’s title All Things Must Pass reflects that respect for life in a way which Harrison was so adeot at describing in his life and his work. It’s simply wonderful.
While the world was still focused on Lennon and McCartney during the late 60’s Harrison had been forging creative bonds with artists like Bob Dylan, the Band, Delaney & Bonnie, and Billy Preston. In the wake of the Beatles’ breakup those experiences helped shape Harrison’s musical direction and he quietly stepped into his own light with All Things Must Pass. The songs, layered with his now-iconic slide guitar and infused with themes of faith and transcendence, filled two LPs, while a third disc (referred to as Apple Jam) captured the loose, joyful spirit of studio improvisation. This duality and sheer amount of material exemplified George in many ways, a quiet soul who now had an opportunity to tell his own story. And tell it in a profoundly beautiful way he sure did.
Standout Songs: “My Sweet Lord”, “Isn’t It A Pity”, “Let It Down”, “All Things Must Pass”, “Out of the Blue”
